The School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of St Andrews has been named as a champion of gender equality by the IOP.

Shutterstock

The department has just achieved champion status in the Institute’s Project Juno initiative, which recognises and rewards action to address the under-representation of women in UK and Irish universities and to embed better working practices for all staff.

It joins 16 others that have attained Champion status – the highest level awarded within Project Juno – having progressed from being a Juno Supporter and then a Juno Practitioner.

To become a Juno Champion, a department, institute or group must show that it has embedded the five principles of Project Juno. These concern appointment and selection, career promotion and progression, departmental culture, work allocation and flexible working practices. There must also be a framework in place to deliver equality of opportunity and reward.

Jenni Dyer, head of diversity at the IOP, said: “The Institute is really pleased that the University of St Andrews has become the third Juno Champion in Scotland and has brought the total number of Juno Champions to 17.

“They have worked tirelessly to embed gender equality into their physics environments and we congratulate all those involved in this achievement. Project Juno continues to deliver real results, demonstrating the efforts that physics departments are taking to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”

Professor Graham Turnbull, head of the School of Physics and Astronomy, said: “We are delighted to receive the Juno Champion award from the Institute of Physics. Since becoming a Juno practitioner in 2013, the school has worked hard to deliver on our goals for equality of opportunity and reward for all staff and students.

“Our percentages of female staff and students currently exceed the national averages for physics and astronomy, and we are committed to building on our Champion award to further improve our positive working environment for all, and continuing to address the under-representation of women in the physical sciences.”